RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team held its second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday in preparation for the 2024 season, which kicks off at Mississippi State on Aug. 31.
 
"I think we made a lot of strides on both sides of the ball, and on special teams," said head coach Walt Wells following the scrimmage. "Guys got a lot of reps… which gives them a chance to prove who they are and how much they have improved. I am excited about where we are heading."
 
The defense set the tone early in the scrimmage with a sack by Gabe Stephens and Jeremiah Bailey before forcing a turnover on downs.
 
EKU's offense responded immediately on the next drive, marching 65 yards in 10 plays, capped off by a touchdown reception by wideout Kyle Vaka on an out route along the goal line.
 
After four drives without points, the offense found the end zone again, completing an eight-play, 60-yard drive with Ron Vann Jr. making a full-extension catch over the middle on third-and-goal from the eight-yard line for the second touchdown of the scrimmage.
 
Two drives later, the offense set up Patrick Nations for a 31-yard field goal, which he converted.
 
On the next drive, the offense pieced together a 12-play drive, ending with a 20-yard touchdown pass over the middle to tight end Ben Hayes on fourth-and-eight.
 
The offense stayed hot as Jalen Montgomery broke off a 34-yard run off the left side to set up a 30-yard strike over the middle to Marcus Calwise Jr. for six.
 
The defense quickly answered in a goal-line situation with the offense pinned deep in its own red zone, as defensive lineman Brad Gurley broke through the pass protection to record a sack for a safety.
 
The defense wasn't done yet. On the following drive, defensive back Jaheim Ward snagged an overthrown pass for a diving interception.
 
Two drives later, Patrick Nations added his second field goal of the scrimmage, this time from 40 yards out.
 
The scrimmage ended with a bang. On the 19th drive, Steven Shoats-Thomas broke through a swarm of would-be tacklers up the middle before breaking out down the left sideline for a 44-yard touchdown run.
 
EKU will have one more scrimmage on its annual Colonel Fan Day presented by Meijer on Aug. 24 before it kicks the season off on Aug. 31 at Mississippi State.
 
Single-game and season tickets for the 2024 EKU football season are now on sale through the EKU athletics ticket office. Tickets can be purchased online here, by phone at 859-622-2122, or by email to raymond.white@eku.edu.